U.S. patent application number 10/127545 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for portable telephone set charging system and charging method.
Invention is credited to Kuroki, Nobuo.
Application Number | 20020153862 10/127545 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18975129 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020153862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuroki, Nobuo |
October 24, 2002 |
Portable telephone set charging system and charging method
Abstract
A charging system for charging a portable telephone set includes
a plurality of charging apparatuses and a charging controller. The
charging apparatuses can simultaneously charge a plurality of
portable telephone sets. The charging controller causes the
charging apparatuses to start charging on the basis of exchange of
information with the portable telephone sets via a base station,
identifies the portable telephone sets, and bills the usr for the
use of the charging apparatuses. A portable telephone set charging
method is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kuroki, Nobuo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McGinn & Gibb, PLLC
Suite 200
8321 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Family ID: |
18975129 |
Appl. No.: |
10/127545 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 2310/22 20200101;
H02J 7/0027 20130101; H02J 7/00034 20200101; H04M 15/8005 20130101;
H04M 15/00 20130101; H04M 2215/32 20130101; H04M 15/68 20130101;
H02J 7/0013 20130101; H04M 2215/0196 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/114 |
International
Class: |
H02J 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 24, 2001 |
JP |
126021/2001 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A charging system for charging a portable telephone set,
comprising: a plurality of charging apparatuses which can
simultaneously charge a plurality of portable telephone sets; and a
charging controller which causes said charging apparatuses to start
charging on the basis of exchange of information with said portable
telephone sets via a base station, identifies said portable
telephone sets, and bills the user for use of said charging
apparatuses.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said charging controller
comprises a message transmission/reception unit which exchanges
information with said portable telephone sets via said base
station, and said message transmission/reception unit receives
charging start request information from each of said portable
telephone sets, transmits charging start confirmation information
as a response to the charging start request information to said
portable telephone set, and receives transmission start OK
information as a response to the charging start confirmation
information from said portable telephone set.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein when each of said
portable telephone sets is mounted on each of said charging
apparatuses and said charging apparatus receives charging start
request information from said portable telephone set via said
charging controller, said charging controller transmits charging
start confirmation information to said portable telephone set.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said charging
apparatuses comprises a private information input unit, and when
private information is received by said private information input
unit of each of said portable telephone sets, said message
transmission/reception unit transmits charging start request
information to said portable telephone set on the basis of the
private information, and receives charging start information as a
response to the charging start request information from said
portable telephone set.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said charging controller
provides used fee information to each of said portable telephone
sets.
6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
charging apparatuses and said charging controller are connected by
wire or wirelessly.
7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
charging apparatuses and said charging controller are
integrated.
8. A system according to claim 1, wherein when each of said
portable telephone sets is empty of battery capacity, said portable
telephone set is charged for a predetermined time until start of
actual charging without exchanging information between said
portable telephone set and said charging controller.
9. A system according to claim 1, wherein a dealer different from a
dealer for said portable telephone set charging system provides
charging of said charging apparatuses.
10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the user is billed a
used fee for use of said charging apparatuses together with a
telephone rate.
11. A portable telephone set charging method, comprising the steps
of: simultaneously charging a plurality of portable telephone sets;
starting charging on the basis of exchange of information with the
portable telephone sets; identifying the portable telephone sets;
and billing the user for charging of the portable telephone
sets.
12. A portable telephone set charging method, comprising the steps
of: simultaneously charging a plurality of portable telephone sets;
starting charging on the basis of exchange of information with the
portable telephone sets via a base station; identifying the
portable telephone sets; and billing the user for charging of the
portable telephone sets.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable telephone set
and, more particularly, to a portable telephone set charging system
and charging method which can easily charge a portable telephone
set when a person stays out.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventionally, a portable telephone set whose battery
capacity runs short must be brought back to the user's house or the
like where a charging apparatus is left, and must be charged.
During that charging period, the portable telephone set cannot be
used.
[0005] To solve the above problem, the user may carry a charging
apparatus with him/her so as to quickly charge a portable telephone
set when its battery capacity runs short, which is cumbersome.
[0006] As a measure against the shortage of the battery capacity,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-101756 discloses a
portable telephone set charging system for charging a portable
telephone set by inserting coins.
[0007] However, this portable telephone set charging system cannot
be used by a user who does not have any coins on him or her.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made to eliminate the
conventional drawbacks, and has as its object to provide a portable
telephone set charging system and charging method capable of easily
charging a portable telephone set when a person stays out.
[0009] In order to achieve the above object, according to the first
primary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portable telephone set charging system comprising a plurality of
charging apparatuses which can simultaneously charge a plurality of
portable telephone sets, and a charging controller which causes the
charging apparatuses to start charging on the basis of exchange of
information with the portable telephone sets via a base station,
identifies the portable telephone sets, and bills the user for use
of the charging apparatuses.
[0010] This system allows the user to easily charge the portable
telephone set outside his or her home even if he/she does not have
any cash such as coins on him or her.
[0011] The portable telephone set charging system according to the
first primary aspect has the following secondary aspects.
[0012] More specifically, the charging controller comprises a
message transmission/reception unit which exchanges information
with the portable telephone sets via the base station, and the
message transmission/reception unit can receive charging start
request information from each of the portable telephone sets,
transmit charging start confirmation information as a response to
the charging start request information to the portable telephone
set, and receive transmission start OK information as a response to
the charging start confirmation information from the portable
telephone set.
[0013] The portable telephone set charging system exchanges
information with the portable telephone set, and authenticates the
portable telephone set in order to bill the user the use fee at the
same time as charging control of the charging apparatus.
[0014] When each of the portable telephone sets is mounted on each
of the charging apparatuses and the charging apparatus receives
charging start request information from the portable telephone set
via the charging controller, the charging controller transmits
charging start confirmation information to the portable telephone
set.
[0015] If no portable telephone set is mounted or no charging start
request information is received, charging preparations are
determined not to have been completed, and charging is suspended
without transmitting any charging start confirmation
information.
[0016] Each of the charging apparatuses is provided with a private
information input unit, and when private information is received by
the private information input unit of each of the portable
telephone sets, the message transmission/reception unit can
transmit charging start request information to the portable
telephone set on the basis of the private information, and receive
charging start information as a response to the charging start
request information from the portable telephone set.
[0017] With this means, the portable telephone set charging system
exchanges information with the portable telephone set on the basis
of private information inputted, and authenticates the portable
telephone set in order to bill the user a used fee of the charging
apparatus at the same time as charging control of the charging
apparatus.
[0018] The charging controller can provide used fee information to
each of the portable telephone sets.
[0019] The portable telephone set can confirm the used fee of
charging by information transmitted and provided from the charging
controller.
[0020] The plurality of charging apparatuses and the charging
controller are connected by wire or wirelessly. The plurality of
charging apparatuses and the charging controller are
integrated.
[0021] This can make the portable telephone set charging system
compact.
[0022] When each of the portable telephone sets is empty of battery
capacity, the portable telephone set can be charged for a
predetermined time until start of actual charging without
exchanging information between the portable telephone set and the
charging controller.
[0023] Accordingly, exchange of information can be ensured between
the portable telephone set which is empty of battery capacity and
the portable telephone set charging system.
[0024] A dealer different from a dealer for the portable telephone
set charging system can provide charging of the charging
apparatuses.
[0025] This facilitates ensuring the installation location of the
charging apparatus. This is because a dealer who provides a
location where the charging apparatus is installed, and a dealer
who provides the portable telephone set charging system need not be
the same.
[0026] The user can be billed a used fee for use of the charging
apparatuses together with a telephone rate.
[0027] This means enables easy collection of the used fee.
[0028] In order to achieve the above object, according to the
second primary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portable telephone set charging method comprising the step of
simultaneously charging a plurality of portable telephone sets, and
the step of starting charging on the basis of exchange of
information with the portable telephone sets, identifying the
portable telephone sets, and billing the user for charging of the
portable telephone sets.
[0029] Further, in order to achieve the above object, according to
the third primary aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a portable telephone set charging method comprising the
step of simultaneously charging a plurality of portable telephone
sets, and the step of starting charging on the basis of exchange of
information with the portable telephone sets via a base station,
identifying the portable telephone sets, and billing the user for
charging of the portable telephone sets.
[0030] By these method aspects, similar to the first primary
aspect, the user can easily charge the portable telephone set
outside his or her home even if he/she does not have any cash such
as coins on him or her.
[0031] As is apparent from the above aspects, according to the
present invention, a plurality of portable telephone sets are
simultaneously charged. This charging starts on the basis of
exchange of information with the portable telephone sets. At the
same time, the portable telephone sets are identified and the user
is billed for the charging. Even if the user does not have any cash
such as coins on him or her, he/she can easily charge the portable
telephone set.
[0032] The message transmission/reception unit receives charging
start request information from the portable telephone set,
transmits charging start confirmation information as a response to
the charging start request information to the portable telephone
set, and receives transmission start OK information as a response
to the charging start confirmation information from the portable
telephone set. The portable telephone set charging system can
exchange information with the portable telephone set, and can
identify the portable telephone set in order to bill the user the
used fee of the charging apparatus at the same time as charging
control thereof.
[0033] The above and many other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become manifest to those skilled in the
art upon making reference to the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments incorporating
the principle of the present invention are shown by way of
illustrative examples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement
of a portable telephone set charging system according to the
present invention;
[0035] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow charts for explaining the overall
operation of the portable telephone set charging system shown in
FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement
of a modification of the portable telephone set charging system
according to the present invention; and
[0037] FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts for explaining the overall
operation of the portable telephone set charging system shown in
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement
of a portable telephone set charging system according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the portable telephone set charging
system comprises a plurality of charging apparatuses 1, which
simultaneously charge corresponding portable telephone sets 9. Each
portable telephone set 9 is running short in battery capacity and
needs to be charged.
[0041] The charging apparatuses 1 are connected to a charging
controller 5, which exchanges information with the portable
telephone sets 9 via a base station 10. At the same time as
charging control of the charging apparatuses 1, the charging
controller 5 identifies the portable telephone sets 9 in order to
bill the user the used fee of the charging apparatus.
[0042] Each charging apparatus 1 has a power controller 2, which
supplies power for charging the portable telephone set 9.
[0043] The charging apparatus 1 has a mounting/dismounting unit 3,
which monitors mounting/dismounting of the portable telephone set 9
to be charged.
[0044] Further, the charging apparatus 1 has an information
processor 4, which performs information analysis and control of the
charging apparatus 1, and transmission/reception with respect to
the charging controller 5.
[0045] The charging controller 5 has an information processor 6,
which performs information analysis and control of the charging
controller 5, and transmission/reception with respect to the
charging apparatus 1.
[0046] The charging controller 5 has a used amount management unit
7, which manages a used amount of the portable telephone set
charging system, calculates a used fee thereof, and measures a used
time thereof.
[0047] The charging controller 5 has a message
transmission/reception unit 8, which exchanges information and
messages with the portable telephone set 9 and analyzes information
and messages.
[0048] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow charts for explaining the overall
operation of the portable telephone set charging system shown in
FIG. 1.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2A, in step S101, the portable telephone
set 9 transmits information such as a charging start request of
starting charging, identification information of the charging
apparatus 1, and a caller number by voice communication to the
message transmission/reception unit 8 of the charging controller 5
via the base station 10.
[0050] The caller number transmitted from the portable telephone
set 9 is used for user authenticate and billing.
[0051] Transmission from the portable telephone set 9 to the
charging controller 5 is realized by a means such as a telephone,
SMS message, or mail.
[0052] In step S102, the message transmission/reception unit 8
requests the information processor 6 to transmit charging start
request information in order to start charging a target charging
apparatus 1 on the basis of the identification information of the
charging apparatus 1 sent from the portable telephone set 9.
[0053] In step S103, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 receives the charging start request
information.
[0054] In step S104, the mounting/dismounting unit 3 of the target
charging apparatus 1 checks mounting of the portable telephone set
9.
[0055] If it is determined in step S105 that the portable telephone
set 9 is not mounted, charging preparations are determined not to
have been completed, and the flow waits until the portable
telephone set 9 is mounted.
[0056] Even if the portable telephone set 9 is mounted on the
mounting/dismounting unit 3, charging preparations are determined
not to have been completed, and the flow waits until the
information processor 4 of target the charging apparatus 1 receives
a charging start request.
[0057] If the two conditions are satisfied, the flow advances to
step S106.
[0058] In step S106, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 sends charging start confirmation information
to the charging controller 5 in order to notify the latter of the
completion of charging preparations.
[0059] In step S107, the information processor 6 receives the
charging start confirmation request.
[0060] In step S108, the message transmission/reception unit 8
sends a charging start confirmation request to the portable
telephone set 9 to prompt its confirmation. In this case, the
transmitted caller number is used.
[0061] If the start of charging is permitted in step S109, a
corresponding operation is performed to send transmission start OK
information from the portable telephone set 9 to the message
transmission/reception unit 8 of the charging controller 5.
[0062] In step S110, the message transmission/reception unit 8
analyzes the information sent from the portable telephone set 9. By
this analysis, the portable telephone set 9 is identified.
[0063] In step S2111, the message transmission/reception unit 8
sends energization start request information to the information
processor 6 on the basis of the analysis.
[0064] In step S112, the information processor 6 transmits the
energization start request information to the target charging
apparatus 1.
[0065] In step S113, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 receives the energization start request.
[0066] In step S114, the target charging apparatus 1 notifies the
power controller 2 of the energization start request.
[0067] In step S115, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 sends energization start information to the
charging controller 5.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 2B, in step S116, the information processor
6 receives the energization start information.
[0069] In step S117, use start information is transmitted to the
used amount management unit 7.
[0070] In step S118, the used amount management unit 7 starts
measuring the use time.
[0071] In step S119, the mounting/dismounting unit 3 of the target
charging apparatus 1 monitors whether the portable telephone set 9
is fully charged or is mounted.
[0072] If any event occurs in step S120, e.g., the portable
telephone set 9 is dismounted, the power controller 2 of the target
charging apparatus 1 stops energization.
[0073] In step S121, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 transmits energization stop information to the
charging controller 5.
[0074] In step S122, the information processor 6 receives charging
end information.
[0075] In step S123, the charging controller 5 notifies the used
amount management unit 7 of the charging end information.
[0076] In step S124, the used amount management unit 7 ends the
measurement of the used time, and transmits information such as the
used fee and charged time to the message transmission/reception
unit 8.
[0077] In step S125, the message transmission/reception unit 8
transmits the information sent from the used amount management unit
7 to the portable telephone set 9.
[0078] In step S126, the portable telephone set 9 confirms the used
fee contained in the information transmitted from the charging
controller 5.
[0079] In step S127, as for billing, a dealer who possesses the
portable telephone set charging system bills the user the used fee
on the basis of the caller number and the used time.
[0080] According to the present invention, pieces of information
are exchanged between the portable telephone set 9 and the portable
telephone set charging system upon reception of a charging start
request from the portable telephone set 9. The portable telephone
set charging system can identify the user, and can bill the user
the use fee. Even if the user does not have any cash on him or her,
he/she can charge the portable telephone set 9. The user can easily
charge the portable telephone set 9 outside his or her home without
adding any new function to it.
[0081] For a case wherein the portable telephone set 9 becomes
empty of power, the portable telephone set charging system has a
mechanism of energizing the portable telephone set 9 for a
predetermined time by the power controller 2 until the start of
actual charging while the portable telephone set 9 is mounted on
the mounting/dismounting unit 3 of the charging apparatus 1. This
enables exchanging information between the portable telephone set 9
and the message transmission/reception unit 8.
[0082] When the charging apparatus 1 and charging controller 5 are
located very close to each other, they need not always be
independent of each other and may be integrated. The information
processor 4 of the charging apparatus 1 and the information
processor 6 of the charging controller 5 can be connected by wire
or wirelessly. If the charging apparatus 1 and charging controller
5 are located apart from each other, wireless connection is
advantageous for the purpose of a compact arrangement.
[0083] As for the used fee, the dealer who manages the portable
telephone set charging system made up of the charging apparatus 1
and charging controller 5 directly bills the user, or collects the
used fee by using, e.g., a collection agency of collecting the used
fee together with a telephone rate by a telephone company. In the
latter case, collection of the used fee is easier.
[0084] A dealer who provides a location where the charging
apparatus 1 is installed, and a dealer who provides the portable
telephone set charging system need not be the same. This
facilitates ensuring the installation location of the charging
apparatus 1.
[0085] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement
of a modification of the portable telephone set charging system
shown in FIG. 1.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, compared to the system of FIG. 1, each
charging apparatus 1 is further provided with a private information
input unit 11. The private information input unit 11 receives
private information for the portable telephone set 9, e.g., such as
a telephone number.
[0087] FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow-charts for explaining the overall
operation of the portable telephone set charging system shown in
FIG. 3.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 4A, in step S201, the portable telephone
set 9 is mounted on the mounting/dismounting unit 3 of the charging
apparatus 1.
[0089] In step S202, information of the portable telephone set 9,
e.g., its telephone number is inputted via the private information
input unit 11 of the target charging apparatus 1, and sent to the
information processor 4.
[0090] In step S203, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 sends a charging start request of starting
charging to the charging controller 5 in order to notify the latter
of the completion of charging preparations.
[0091] In step S204, the charging start request information
received by the information processor 6 of the charging controller
5 is transmitted to the message transmission/reception unit 8.
[0092] In step S205, the message transmission/reception unit 8
sends a message to the portable telephone set 9 on the basis of the
information of the portable telephone set 9.
[0093] If the start of charging is permitted in step S206, a
corresponding operation is performed to send transmission start OK
information from the portable telephone set 9 to the message
transmission/reception unit 8 of the charging controller 5.
[0094] In step S207, the message transmission/reception unit 8
analyzes the information sent from the portable telephone set 9. By
this analysis, the portable telephone set 9 is identified.
[0095] In step S208, the message transmission/reception unit 8
sends energization start request information to the information
processor 6.
[0096] In step S209, the information processor 6 transmits the
energization start request information to the information processor
4 of the target charging apparatus 1.
[0097] In step S210, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 receives the energization start request
information.
[0098] In step S211, the target charging apparatus 1 notifies the
power controller 2 of the energization start request.
[0099] In step S212, the target charging apparatus 1 sends
energization start information to the charging controller 5.
[0100] In step S213, the information processor 6 receives the
energization start information.
[0101] In step S214, the charging controller 5 transmits use start
information to the used amount management unit 7.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 4B, in step S215, the used amount
management unit 7 starts measuring the use time.
[0103] In step S216, the mounting/dismounting unit 3 of the target
charging apparatus 1 monitors whether the portable telephone set 9
is fully charged or is mounted.
[0104] If any event occurs in step S217, e.g., the portable
telephone set 9 is dismounted, energization stops in the target
charging apparatus 1.
[0105] In step S218, the target charging apparatus 1 transmits
energization stop information to the information processor 4.
[0106] In step S219, the information processor 4 of the target
charging apparatus 1 transmits the received energization stop
information to the charging controller 5.
[0107] In step S220, the information processor 6 receives
information representing the end of charging.
[0108] In step S221, the charging controller 5 notifies the used
amount management unit 7 of the charging end information.
[0109] In step S222, the used amount management unit 7 ends the
measurement of the use time of the charging apparatus, and
transmits information such as a used fee thereof and a charged time
thereof to the message transmission/reception unit 8.
[0110] In step S223, the message transmission/reception unit 8
transmits the information sent from the used amount management unit
7 to the portable telephone set 9.
[0111] In step S224, the portable telephone set 9 confirms the use
fee or the like contained in the information transmitted from the
charging controller 5.
[0112] In step S225, as for billing, a dealer who possesses the
portable telephone set charging system bills the user the used fee
of the charging apparatus on the basis of the telephone number and
the used time of the charging apparatus.
[0113] According to the present invention, a telephone number is
inputted as private information from the portable telephone set 9
to the charging apparatus 1. The inputted information is exchanged
between the portable telephone set 9 and the portable telephone set
charging system. The portable telephone set charging system can
authenticate the user, and can bill the user the used fee of the
portable telephone set charging system. Even if the user does not
have any cash on him or her, he/she can charge the portable
telephone set 9. The user can easily charge the portable telephone
set 9 outside his or her home without adding any new function to
the portable telephone set 9.
* * * * *